GREETINGS FROM KNOX DALE, PENNSYLVANIA

CAROL AND I WOKE UP IN LAWRENCEBURG, INDIANA THIS MORNING. THIS IS WHAT TRANSPIRED TODAY.

 

It may take me a few days to get photos up for these races.  Please bear with me.  Soon you can click on www.ranlayracing.com to see photos of this week’s trip.

 

 

 

PEOPLE/STRATEGY/TRAVEL NEWS

 

The Strategy

 

We had three choices of tracks to visit today on Wednesday, June 21, 2006.  They were:

 

141 Speedway – Francis Creek, Wisconsin

Thunder Mountain Speedway – Knox Dale, Pennsylvania

Peoria Speedway – Peoria, Illinois

 

Each of these tracks had their own plusses and minuses from both a trackchasing standpoint and entertainment point of view.  Based upon what I’m about to tell you, which track would you have picked?

 

141 Speedway – Francis Creek, Wisconsin

 

This track was 459 miles away and the weather forecast called for a 60% chance of rain.  This speedway is an asphalt track.  It might withstand a rainstorm better than the other two choices, which were dirt tracks.  This was the highest rain probability of any of our three choices.  This track’s normal night of racing is Saturday.  They run a few Wednesday night shows during the summer.  The best thing about this track was that the forecast for this area for Thursday through Sunday was the best of the bunch.  We might be rained out there today, but the next four days would probably be good.

 

Peoria Speedway – Peoria, Illinois

 

This track was “only” 308 miles away.  The weather forecast called for a 40% chance of rain.  The Peoria Speedway would not be a new track for us.  However, the Peoria Speedway is my all-time favorite track and they were running a UMP Summer Nationals Late Model race.  If they ran, it would probably be a quality program.  This track also had the advantage of putting us into a geographical area that was expected to have good weather for the rest of our trip.

 

Thunder Mountain Speedway – Knox Dale, Pennsylvania

 

This track was 394 miles away and had the lowest rain probability at 30%.  This track’s normal night of racing is Friday and seeing a show here on a Wednesday would save other Friday night tracks that never race on any other day for a future trip.  However, the major negative for this track was the very poor weather forecast for this general area for the remaining four days of our trip.

 

The Decision

 

What should we do?  What would you do?  I made an executive decision.  We were going to Wisconsin!  We headed out on the interstate toward the Dairy state.  About 50 miles down the road, I began to have second thoughts.

 

I instructed my young driver to pull to the side of the road.  As anyone who has ever been forced to make an executive decision, I needed more information.  I made a phone call to the Wisconsin promoter.  He told me that rain was expected.  He also laid this on me, “My Wednesday night program is for beginners only.  Last week we had only 20 cars and the entire racing program was over in 45 minutes.”  That meant we would be driving 459 miles into a 60% chance of rain for 45 minutes of racing.  The promoter capped off his comments with, “I pull the plug (cancel the races) much more quickly on a Wednesday night than I do on my big Saturday night programs.”

 

I then called the Pennsylvania promoter.  He was planning for rain and had not put much water on his dirt track since he thought Mother Nature might help him out here.

 

It was getting late.   I needed to make a decision before my three options became one or even none.  I changed my mind!  We were going to Pennsylvania.  I instructed my young and beautiful driver to make a U-turn.  We would go to Pennsylvania tonight and then make another U-turn and drive back to Wisconsin for Thursday’s show.  We would then spend the balance of our trip in the Midwest rather than the Northeast.  This decision would add an incremental 610 miles to our trip or about 10 hours of driving. 

 

What was the final thinking that helped me make this decision?  I was adding 10 hours of driving and about $60 of incremental expense (gas) to improve our chances of seeing a new track (rain forecast improved from 60% to 30%). 

 

We had the time so an extra 10 hours of sitting in the car was no problem.  Getting to each new track I see costs a lot more than $60.  Therefore, adding $60 in expenses to improve our chances (rain probabilities) of getting a new track by 50% (60% divided by 30%) seemed to make sense.

 

The closer we got to our track in Knox Dale, Pennsylvania the better the weather got.  During the last hour of our seven-hour drive, the skies were almost totally blue.  Just to see how the Wisconsin track was doing I called them.  They were racing!  Had we gone to Wisconsin, we would have seen a new track AND saved 600 miles of driving.  I won by getting a new track, but could have won bigger by picking the Wisconsin track.  At least I didn’t lose.

 

The trip

 

It was a 563-mile driving day.  That’s about all I can say about the trip.

The People

 

I am sometimes criticized for revealing trackchasing trends.  Some of my exposes have focused on the demographics and habits of trackchasers.  Although accurate, these trends have provoked strong reactions amongst some trackchasers.  Therefore, for security reasons, I can no longer post in advance my trackchasing plans.

 

This brings me to another trackchasing trend that is being mentioned for the first time ever in this Trackchaser Report.  The incidence of trackchasers running into each other at a track, other than on a pre-arranged basis, is going the way of the dinosaur.

 

You see trackchasing for most folks happens on a regional basis.  If we divide the North America into three regions (much like sales companies do) with each region having roughly the same amount of space, we can see the basis of this trend.

 

Most top 20-25 trackchasers live in the Eastern Region.  A few live in the Central Region, one lives in Europe and only one, me, lives in the Western Region.  Most of these trackchasers have seen 80-90% or even more of the tracks in their region.  Most trackchase outside of their region for less than 25% of their track.  I’ll have more about this on my website soon.

 

So, there you have it.  Other than on a pre-arranged basis, trackchasers are VERY UNLIKELY to run into each other at a track.  Most top trackchasers don’t have many more tracks to see in their region.  Their fellow region dwellers don’t either.  It’s unlikely than one person’s remaining tracks will mirror another person’s remaining tracks within the same region very often. 

 

If a trackchaser ventures into another region, it’s also a remote possibility that he/she will run into another trackchaser.  Here’s the reason.  If I go trackchasing in the Eastern Region, I’m not likely to see an Eastern based trackchaser because, for the most part, they won’t be trackchasing in the East.  Same thing for the Central and Western regions.  If an East coaster comes to those regions, it’s unlikely the Central and Western based trackchasers will be at the track because they’ve already been there.

 

With all of that being said, I knew in advance that Mr. Ed Esser was planning to visit tonight’s track.  He did not know that Carol and I would be there.  Heck, just a few hours earlier, I didn’t even know we would be at the Thunder Mountain Speedway tonight!

 

This brings me to the final reason why trackchasers are not likely to run into each other on a random basis.  Two trackchasers can be at the same track on the same night and not even know it.  I wish I had a million dollars for each trackchaser who has said something along these lines, “I wish I’d known Joe/Jane Blow was at the track tonight, I would have loved to have said hello.” 

 

By submitting my trackchaser press release to the track’s announcer, I am attempting to flush out those trackchasers who are hidden in the crowd.  This public proclamation has worked many times and it did again tonight.

 

Shortly after my trackchaser announcement was read, the aforementioned Mr. Ed Esser was making an appearance in our section of the grandstand.  We were happy to see Ed and help him celebrate a very special trackchasing occasion.  Tonight was his 900^th track.  Congratulations, Ed!!!  This is a grand accomplishment.

 

We all enjoyed our evening together in what turned out to be a beautiful night for short track auto racing.  We visited in the parking lot after the races for a few minutes.  We then headed back to Ed’s home state of Wisconsin and he headed further east into Pennsylvania and a very poor weather forecast.  Nice seeing you, Ed.

 

 

 

RACE TRACK STATS:

THUNDER MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY, KNOX DALE, PENNSYLVANIA - TRACK #1,060 – 6/21/06 – CAROL’S TRACK #254

 

This track was my 57^th lifetime Pennsylvania track and Carol’s third.  I hold down a surprisingly low 23^rd place and P.J. Hollebrand carries sixth place with 111 tracks.

 

 

 

RACE TRACK NEWS:

 

THUNDER MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY

 

This track is out in the middle of nowhere.  It’s in very rural Western Pennsylvania.  I’ll have some great photos of “Downtown” Knox Dale posted soon. 

 

This track is a 3/8 mile banked clay oval.  They had seating on boards attached to ground poles as well as an area where spectators could bring their own lawn chairs.  The P.A. was at times both weak and strong.  It was uncomfortable for a while as the sun sat in the faces of the loyal spectators.  Fortunately, the wind blew the dust away from the grandstands.

 

Tonight was a mid-week special event.  Last year this track raced on Sunday nights and this year they race on Fridays.  They started their three class racing program exactly on time at 7:30 p.m.  The 15 Super Stocks, 11 Run Whatya Brung Late Models and 9 Four Cylinders all ran two heats and a feature.  They also had a two school bus heat race on the oval.  One of the buses blew up, so the remaining bus did not come out for a feature race.

 

As soon as one heat was finished, the next was rolling onto the track.  I like that.  The first feature was on the track by 8:40 p.m.  The final checkered flag flew before 10 p.m.  I liked the four-cylinder racing the best.  For a relatively large track (for them), they raced fast and close.

 

The Run Whatya Brung Late Models were allowed to race any engine as well as plexi-glass sideboards like late models did some 20 years ago.  The clear plexi-glass boards were some eight feet high, helped the down force, and increased lap speeds.  Some of these cars were really fast on this track.

 

A very large crowd showed up for this special in a very rural area.  The announcer gave me a thorough trackchaser mention although his timing was bad.  The cars were coming onto the track and it was difficult to hear what he was saying. 

 

 

CAROL’S COMMENTS

THUNDER MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY

It was pretty dusty.  The racing had lots of passing and they were very efficient.  It was an enthusiastic and young crowd.  The announcer made it fun by giving away prizes and throwing giveaways into the stands.  The girls dancing during intermission were entertaining.  The bathrooms were bad with long lines and they were stinky.  Finally, I found a clean port-a-potty.  You just never know where that Ed Esser will pop up.  It was great being there for Ed’s #900.  His Chevy Blazer looks great and it’s hard to believe it has 340,000 miles on it!

 

WEATHER CONDITIONS

 

Although the weather forecast was marginal, we escaped with a new track again.  We were only 40 miles from the track after the races, when the skies let loose.  It rained as hard as it has anytime this season.

 

RENTAL CAR UPDATE:

 

The National Rental Car Racing Nissan Altima 2.5S is getting just over 30 M.P.G. with its 4-cylinder engine.  However, the car does not have automatic off/on headlights, a tilt steering wheel (that works), steering wheel radio controls or power seats.  It does have two power outlets.

 

Tuesday total driving miles – 123 miles

Wednesday total driving miles – 563 miles

 

LIFETIME TRACKCHASER STANDINGS UPDATE:

 

These worldwide trackchasers are within 100 tracks (plus or minus) of my current trackchaser total.

 

1.  Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California – 1,060

2.  Rick Schneider – Bay Shore, New York - 1,040 (-19)

3.  Allan Brown, Comstock Park, Michigan – 1,021 (-38)

4.  Guy Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania – 1,020 (-39)

5.  Andy Sivi, Clairton, Pennsylvania – 1,007 (-52)*

6.  Gordon Killian, Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania – 1,004 (-55)*

 

* Warning, you are within 50 tracks of being removed from this list.

 

 

 

Other notables

 

These worldwide trackchasers are within 10 tracks (plus or minus) of Carol’s current trackchaser total.

 

38.  Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California - 254

39.  Spike Rixon, Watford, England - 252 (+2)

40.  Virginia Schuler, Allentown, Pennsylvania - 248 (-6)

41.  Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Indiana – 246 (-8)

 

 

 

 

2006 TRACKCHASER STANDINGS

 

1.  Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California - 69

2.  Ed Esser, Madison, Wisconsin – 38

3.  Roland Vanden Eynde, Vilvoorde, Belgium – 37

4.  Mike Knappenberger, Reading, Pennsylvania - 31

5.  Paul Weisel, Orefield, Pennsylvania – 27

6.  Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California – 24

7.  Roger Ferrell, Majenica, Indiana – 23

8.  Gordon Killian, Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania – 18

9.  Linda Thomas, Watford, England - 15

9.  Guy Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania - 15

 

 

Trackchasers everywhere are scurrying to be well-positioned by June 30, 2006.  At that time, I will provide my annual review and predictions for the balance of the 2006 season for the current top 10 trackchasers.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading about my trackchasing,

Randy Lewis

#1 Trackchaser Living West of the Mississippi

 

I should never care to argue for anything that would lesson the difficulty of the game because difficulty is its greatest charm. 

 

 

 

 

CUMULATIVE TRAVEL DISTANCES:

 

AIRPLANE

 

Los Angeles, CA – Indianapolis, IN – 1,810 miles

RENTAL CAR

 

Indianapolis International Airport – trip begins

Lawrenceburg, IN – 123 miles

Knox Dale, Pennsylvania – 586 miles

 

 

TRACK ADMSSION PRICES:

Lawrenceburg Speedway – $7

Thunder Mountain Speedway - $10

 

 

Past trackchasing stories are available at:

www.ranlayracing.com

 

Official trackchaser standings can be viewed at:

www.trackchaser.com  

 

Some of my standings data comes from trackchaser.com

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING TRACKCHASING PLANS

 

At this point, we are committed to the Midwest for the balance of the trip.  The weather looks good and there is a plethora of tracks to choose from.

 

 

 

RACETRACKS VISITED IN 2006 (** not the first time to visit this track)

 

992.  Watermelon Capital Speedway, Cordele, Georgia - January 14

 

993.  Cross Roads Motorplex (asphalt oval), Jasper, Florida - January 15

 

994.  Norfolk Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia - January 20

 

995.  Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California - January 21

 

996.  Oregon State Fair & Expo Center, Forster Livestock Arena, Salem, Oregon - January 28

 

997.  Morosso Motorsports Park, Jupiter, Florida – February 4

 

998.  Thunderbowl Speedway of Ocala, Ocala, Florida - February 4

 

999.  Cross Roads Motorplex (dirt oval), Jasper, Florida - February 5

 

1,000.  Auburndale Kartway, Auburndale, Florida - February 10

 

1,001.  Ocala Speedway (asphalt oval), Ocala, Florida - February 12

 

1,002. Speedworld Speedway, Surprise, Arizona - February 19

 

1,003. Lowe’s Motor Speedway (1/5 mile asphalt oval), Concord, North Carolina - February 25

 

1,004. Concord Raceway, Concord, North Carolina - February 25

 

1,005. Antioch Speedway, Antioch, North Carolina - February 25

 

1,006. Green Valley Speedway, Gadsden, Alabama - February 26

 

1,007. East Bay Raceway (inner oval), Gibsonton, Florida – March 17

 

1,008. Volusia Speedway Park West (1/6M oval), Barberville, Florida – March 18

 

1,009. Speedway Park, Fruitland Park, Florida – March 18

 

1,010. Sand Mountain Speedway (road course), Fort Meade, Florida – March 19

 

1,011. Anderson Motor Speedway, Anderson, South Carolina – March 31

 

1,012. Westminster Speedway, Westminster, South Carolina – March 31

 

1,013. East Lincoln Motor Speedway, Stanley, North Carolina – April 1

 

1,014. Margarettsville Speedway, Margarettsville, North Carolina – April 2

 

1,015. Sunny South Raceway, Grand Bay, Alabama – April 7

 

1,016. Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds, Alabama – April 8

 

1,017. Coldwater Raceway, Coldwater, Alabama – April 8

 

1,018. Talladega Short Track, Talladega, Alabama – April 8

 

1,019. Ballymena Raceway, Ballymena, Northern Ireland - April 14

 

1,020. Oulton Park, Little Budworth, England - April 15

 

1,021. Somerset Rebels Banger Raceway, Rooks Bridge, England - April 16

 

1,022. Mendips Raceway, Shipham, England - April 16

 

1,023. Oval Raceway, Angmering, England - April 17

 

1,024. Arlington Stadium, Eastbourne, England - April 17

 

1,025. Southside Speedway, Midlothian, Virginia - April 28

 

1,026. Motor Mile Speedway, Radford, Virginia - April 29

 

1,027. Wythe Speedway, Wytheville, Virginia - April 29

 

1,028. Summit Point Raceway, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, West Virginia - April 30

 

1,029. Old Dominion Speedway – inner inner oval, Manassas, Virginia - April 30

 

1,030. Shenandoah Speedway, Shenandoah, Virginia – May 4

 

1,031. Bridgeport Speedway (inner oval – front), Bridgeport, New Jersey - May 5

 

1,032. Empty Jug, Hawley, Pennsylvania - May 6

 

1,033. Oakland Valley Race Park, Cuddebackville, New York - May 6

 

1,034. Thunder Mountain Speedway, Center Isle, New York - May 6

 

1,035. Motocross 338, Southwick, Massachusetts - May 7

 

1,036. Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, Fultonville, New York - May 7

 

1,037. Calumet County Speedway, Chilton, Wisconsin - May 19

 

1,038. Grant County Speedway, Lancaster, Wisconsin - May 20

 

1,039. Blackhawk Farms Raceway, Rockton, Illinois - May 21

 

1,040. The Milwaukee Mile (Road course), West Allis, Wisconsin - May 21

 

** Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin – May 21 (new track Carol only)

 

1,041. Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, South Dakota - May 25

 

1,042. Superior Speedway, Superior, Wisconsin - May 26

 

1,043. Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minnesota - May 27

 

1,044. Canby Speedway, Canby, Minnesota - May 27

1,045. Crawford County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Denison, Iowa - May 28

1,046. Tri-State Speedway, Sisseton, South Dakota - May 29

1,047. Sheyenne River Speedway, Lisbon, North Dakota - May 29

1,048. Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, Pahrump, Nevada – June 3

1,049. The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada – June 3

 

1,050. Hibbing Raceway, Hibbing, Minnesota – June 6

 

1,051. Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, Iowa – June 7

 

1,052. Lebanon Midway Speedway, Lebanon, Missouri – June 8

 

1,053. Rocky Top Raceway, Coal Grove, Ohio – June 9

 

1,054. Midvale Speedway (oval), Midvale, Ohio – June 10

 

1,055. Midvale Speedway (figure 8), Midvale, Ohio – June 10

 

1,056. Spring Valley Raceway, Millport, Ohio – June 11

1,057. Rialto Airport Speedway, Rialto, California – June 17

1,058. Lawrenceburg Speedway (figure 8), Lawrenceburg, Indiana -  June 20

1,059. Lawrenceburg Speedway (temporary oval), Lawrenceburg, Indiana -  June 20

 

1,060. Thunder Mountain Speedway, Knox Dale, Pennsylvania -  June 21